Daily Devotion

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The Sleeping Seed

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the reading.

Farmers have completed their work of planting the seeds. Only the power of God in life itself is going to take over now. God’s Kingdom life is like that. It will prevail, despite its being hidden and small at first.

Jesus sleeps as a seed in the bottom of the boat. He awakens and rebukes not only the wind and the waves, but the unbelief of the disciples as well.

Believe that the Spirit deep within you, apparently asleep, is really at work bringing Pentecost life to flourish in you. It will happen, if you let it. Spend time in the silence, just being with the Lord as the seed of God’s love grows within you. Others will then find rest in the shadow of your arms as branches of God’s own love for them.

Mark 4:26-41

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: “Peace! Be still! And there was calm. v. 39

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read
from the Gospel of Mark, this season, chapters 4 to 9.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

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The Victory Parade

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” 2 Corinthians 2:1-11.

Paul refers to someone who has offended him grievously. Feel his pain. Yet even more, sense his desire that there be healing and reconciliation. Unforgiveness gives Satan a foothold leading toward death instead of life.

Victory parades in ancient times had captives as well as conquerors march. There was no ticker tape. Instead, burnt fragrant spices filled the air as the way to expand the pervading sense of joy.

The victory parade of Jesus is on. The fragrance of the Holy Spirit is all about. Do not be in the parade as a captive of darkness through unforgiveness. The aroma will mean spiritual death for you. Let go. Forgive. When you do, you immediately march as a victor with all the joy of Christ who has won this victory for you.

2 Corinthians 2

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Fragrance comes from knowing Him v.14

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In this season of Pentecost this year,
we read 2 Corinthians.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

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Deliver Me, O God!

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the reading.

To view a video on this Psalm created three years ago, tap here.

This small psalm of five verses has strong similarity with the first Beatitude in Matthew 5:1. “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” The New English Bible translates it this way: “Blessed are those who know their need of God.” To be poor in spirit means awareness of a total need for God. Absolute need becomes absolute blessing. The only other alternative to choosing God is despair. The Hebrew word ‘ebyon in verse 5 carries this same concept of “poor in spirit.” A group of Jewish disciples of Jesus gave themselves the name “Ebionites.” They found joy in their needy state, for then they knew that the riches of the resurrected life would be theirs.

When you have given up on everything and everyone as being the source of your happiness, then you are in the place where only the Lord alone can meet your soul’s deepest need.

Psalm 70

This is the second of thirteen weeks in the season of Pentecost, Year B
Wednesdays are dedicated to the Psalms,
One each week over the three-year cycle.

Example of a Bible Breath: O Lord, make haste to help me! v. 1